Mysterious deaths close National Seashore to dogs

If you’re planning on a visit to the Padre Island National Seashore, don’t take Bowser.

A mysterious ailment has been making dogs and coyotes severely ill, and some of them have died.

Visitors from Dallas reportedly said their dog died while they were driving home.

Several coyotes were found dead at the park, and some of the ill coyotes were euthanized.

The deaths have forced the closing of the park to dogs until further notice.

The illnesses and deaths may be linked to the outbreak of red tide in October and early November.

No ill coyotes or dogs were reported before then.

Coyotes and dogs reportedly were seen eating fish killed by the red tide, which is a bloom of algae.

Toxicology reports suggest brevetoxin, acquired from the consumption of fish killed by red tide, may be the cause for the recent coyote and dog mortalities, according to a media release from Joe Escoto, superintendent of PIN.

The release explained that brevetoxin is a toxin produced by dinoflagellates, such as Karenia brevis, which is responsible for the recent red tide.

There is no known antidote for the toxin.

The Padre Island National Seashore is the federally controlled part of the island that runs from Port Aransas south to Port Mansfield.